Spider-Man #95
Free Fall
Peter Parker is trapped in an elevator with Norman Osborn, his grandson Normie, and his best friend Betty Brant. People are injured and smoke is filling the elevator. Peter knows that he’ll have to do something to save everyone inside and that Norman Osborn will enjoy every minute of it. Wondering how he got into this mess, he thinks back to earlier that day…
Spider-Man is hanging above the city reading the Daily Bugle and is pleased to see that the mayor has “declared war” on guns in the city. The wall-crawler is glad for it, missing the simpler days when the villains he fought wore spandex and were trying to take over the world.
That’s when he spots a massive crook lugging a huge wooden crate on his back. No wanting any interference, the crook tries to clobber Spider-Man with the crate but the wall-crawler grabs it and shoves it back at his enemy, knocking him out. Spider-Man then opens the crate to see what’s inside and is surpised to see that it is full of guns. When a police tactical team arrives on the scene, prompting Spider-Man to leave. As it turns out, the mayor’s new anti-gun initative is going full steam with illegal guns being seized and destroyed, and arm’s dealers being arrested.
This attracts the attention of the Kinping is amused becuase this will cause trouble to the other crime families and make it easier for him to reestablish his criminal empire.[1] He scoffs on his competition’s reliance on guns and orders his minion, the Ox, to follow through on his appointed task.
By this time, Peter Parker is saying goodbye to his wife, Mary Jane, outside of the Daily Bugle[2] When Peter goes through his pockets to give Mary Jane change for a cab he discovers that he only has a dollar to his name, Mary Jane says that they have to do something about their financial situation since they are barely scraping by since they both started going back to school. Things are going to get more difficult is Mary Jane’s Aunt Anna decides to go back to Florida.[3] When Peter contemplates asking Betty Brant to loan them money, they are interrupted by Norman Osborn who offers the couple a hundred dollars. Because Norman’s grandson is with him, Mary Jane “politely” declines his offer. As Mary Jane leaves, Norman tells Normie that some people are too proud to accept charity and heads inside the Daily Bugle. Peter once again finds himself cursing Norman for doing everything possible to make his life miserable.[4]
Later, upstairs in the newsroom, Peter and Betty are discussing assignments as they are leaving the office. At the elevator they both spot a strange man lurking around and decide to tell security at the front desk about it. When the elevator door opens they are greeted by Norman Osborn and his grandson. That’s wen the strange whips around and reveals himself to be the supervillain known as Nitro. Telling Osborn that he is sending warm regards from Wilson Fisk, Nitro prepares to make himself explode. With no time to lose, Peter grabs Betty and rushes into the elevator car and closes the door. Although the elevator car lowers below the blast, the explosion takes out the cables and causes the elevator go into freefall. Thankfully, the emergeny breaks kick in. Their momentary safety is quickly shattered when falling debris falls through the roof pinning both Norman and Peter while knocking Betty out. Up on the newsroom floor, Nitro reforms no worse for wear….
…. By the time Peter’s recollection is done, Norman Osborn has revived and begins mocking Peter, asking him what he will do next. He also wonders if the security cameras are still in working order and if there is a crowd of people watcing them now.He goads Peter to use his powers in the hopes that he blows his secret identity. When Peter points out that Norman has powers of his own and that his grandson is also in danger, Osborn refuses to act since he as worked so hard to convince the public that he is not the Green Goblin.[5] He also believes that Normie will survived as Osborn are strong. Norman taunts Peter further, by pointing out all the people he had failed in the past. While listing them off, Norman finally gets Peter’s attention when he brings up his unborn child that died during childbirth.[6] Peter tells Norman that at least he mourns the loss of his loved ones and that even though their deaths are personal failures, he tried to save their lives and have since honored their memories by doing what’s right. With all this said, Peter tells Norman he doesn’t care if he exposes his secret identity as long as he is doing the right thing and uses his spider-strength to lift the debris off of him. Telling Normie to shield his eyes from the smoke, Peter then rips open the elevator door and is relieved that they stopped near a floor. He then carries Normie and Betty to safety.
When Normie asks Peter to go back for his grandfather, Parker realizes he has no choice — regardless of his injuries or his personal grievences with Norman — Peter frees Osborn and carries him to safety. Although Norman gloats over Peter’s inability to let him die. Peter, glad he did the right thing says you’re welcome before blacking out. Peter wakes up later in the hospital where Mary Jane tells him that he is fine and will be released shortly. That’s when J. Jonah Jameson enters the room and scolds Peter for loafing around in bed when there is a story to uncover. That’s when Norman Osborn enters the room with a horde of reporters, telling them that Peter Parker is a hero for saving his life and that the Daily Bugle will be covering all of his medical expenses. After Osborn leaves, Jameson tells Peter that various crime bosses were also struck all over the city, and that Don Fortunato himself is upstairs getting surgery after a nearly successful hit. Outside, Norman Osborn is riding away in his limo. Getting on the phone, Norman tells the person on the other line that it is time for the Gathering of Five.[7] Elsewhere in the city, Hammerhead is watching the news coverage about the mob hits when he too is caught in an explosion.[8] While at his hideout, Wilson Fisk looks over the city that will ultimately become his again.
Recurring Characters
Spider-Man, Norman Osborn, Mary Jane Watson, Kingpin, Nitro, Ox, J. Jonah Jameson, Betty Brant, Ben Urich, Normie Osborn, Hammerhead
Continuity Notes
The Kingpin’s empire was dismantled in Daredevil #300 and he fled New York City. He had only recently returned following the events of X-Men (Vol. 2) #64.
Peter and Mary Jane are referred to as husband and wife here. However, years later, their marriage is erased from existence by Mephisto in Amazing Spider-Man #545. As such they should be considered a common-law couple here.
Anna Watson started living with Peter and Mary Jane in Web of Spider-Man #127. She started thinking about moving back to Florida last issue.
Norman Osborn bought ownership in the Daily Bugle in Spectacular Spider-Man #249-250 and has been using this position to make life difficult for both Peter Parker and Spider-Man.
Ben Urich wrote an expose revealing to the public that Norman Osborn was the Green Goblin in Spider-Man: Legacy of Evil #1. Since Spectacular Spider-Man #250 Norman has been using his position to disprove this. During the Spiderhunt story arc, Norman had a new Green Goblin act in public to cement tis belief.
Norman Osborn names off a few people who, at the time of this story, are dead or believed to be dead they are:
Gwen Stacy, one of the truly dead people that Norman names. Osborn, as the Green Goblin, was responsible for her death back in Amazing Spider-Man #121.
May Parker, was believed to have died in Amazing Spider-Man #400 due to frail health. In reality, Norman Osborn kidnapped her and replaced her with an imposter. Peter will not learn this until Spider-Man #97.
Harry Osborn is believed to have died due to a side effected from the Goblin Formula in Spectacular Spider-Man #200. However, Harry survived and his father had him secreted away to Europe. With the aid of Mysterio, Norman made it look like Harry died and is keeping up the charde here as explained in Amazing Spider-Man #581.
Peter and Mary Jane’s child is also truly dead. Mary Jane announced she was pregnant in Spectacular Spider-Man #200. Tragically, the baby was stillborn in Amazing Spider-Man #418.
This, of course, is a plug for the Gathering of Five event that will occur in Sensational Spider-Man #32-33, Amazing Spider-Man #440, Spider-Man #96, and Spectacular Spider-Man #262.
Hammerhead survives this attempt on his life and will resurface again in Spider-Man: Lifeline #1.